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Photo: WENN.com
The return of Sonisphere is one of the best things to happen to the festival scene in a long time. With a hugely innovative series of bookings, Sonisphere has proven that line-ups don't have to be as beige and boring as they have become.
Because, as I'm sure you have recognised, nearly every festival is currently concerned with one thing: pleasing as many people and demographics as possible. As we all know, the end result of that is no one leaves completely satisfied.
The best example of this is sadly Reading and Leeds festival, which despite origins as a 70s rock music event has been heading further down the road of compromise, in order to nail as many demographics as possible. The announcement of Paramore and Queens of the Stone Age as dual headliners was met with a clear sigh of disdain by many due to its extreme predictability. Yet, at the same time it also proves the point that festivals are attempting to please everyone these days by stacking bands together with that are so incredibly different, they could be considered to be disdainful of each other.
On the flip side, you have certain bookings that seem to crop at every single festival, effectively diminishing any identity the festival might have. We've seen Arctic Monkeys, Clean Bandit, Jungle, Disclosure and Rudimental on too many line-ups t mention. While this isn't a slight on the artists, it is a slight on the promoters whose extreme lack of imagination has created a series of rent-a-fit events with all the definition and identity of a Wetherspoons.
James Hetfield isn't impressed
Then there is Sonisphere, which this year has easily displayed one of the most innovative line-ups and promo runs in recent memory. Instead of adherering to the numerous trends of 2014, the promoters have instead pieced together a line-up that pulls on every facet of the rock scene, from your Reel Big Fish party ska punk all the way to the head banging and moshing of Mastodon. Then there are the headliners and boy oh boy - Metallica, Iron Maiden and The Prodigy - you simply can't do any better than that.
What makes it unique is that each act on the poster from top to bottom is of extremely high quality. It doesn't matter when they last released or who they appeal to, the simple fact is when it comes to putting on a show, they are some of the best performers out there. To pick a random example, The Dropkick Murphys are one of the best festival bands on the planet - their anarchic, Irish folk tinged punk with a sense of humour will tear up Knebworth no doubt. The same applies to Anthrax, Alice in Chains and Band of Skulls, they are all superb performers within their own denominations of the rock scene. Having Deftones as a festival exclusive is worth the ticket price alone.
Scott Ian will "bring the noise" with Anthrax
Secondly, they seem to have been expertly picked to surf a line between nostalgic and cutting edge, with each announcement being novel and well considered. Today, Gary Numan was a stroke of genius. He appeals to fans of heavy music and musos alike, has been around long enough to inspire nostalgia and is a greatly admired performer. It is also an unexpected booking which brings in an element of surprise that only serves to heighten the sense of excitement for the festival.
Which leads to the third and final point - the Sonisphere line-up has given rock fans exactly what they want and in spades. It has surprised them and given them things even they didn't even know they wanted. It is the most successful festival roster of the year, and I say this is a grown man who thought his metal days behind him.
I say you can keep your Reading and V Festivals, I'll be cautiously moshing at Knebworth - thank you very much.
